Lawrence w



(No Model.)

L. W. FALGK.

GAFF TOP SAIL FOR VESSELS.

Patented May 14, 1889.

W/T/VESSES {b 1A,. WWW.

ATTONEY-S.

Y UNIT D" STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE V. FALOK, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

GAFF-TOPSAIL FOR VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,257, dated. May 14, 1889.

Application filed January 30, 1889. Serial No. 298,046. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE W. FALCK, of the city, county, and State of New York, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gaff- Topsails for Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the hauling in and furling of the gafftopsails of vessels by so arranging the sailcontrolling lines that one-half of the gaif-topsail is operated upon and then the other; and the invention consists of a gaff-topsail provided with a lower clew-line extending along the lower and inner edges. An upper clew-line is attached to the upper edge of the gaff-topsail, a sheet-line and tack-line at the lower corners, and upper and lower halyards attached to the upper corner and to the inner corner near the lowest mast-hoop, respectively, as will be fully set forth hereinafter, and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved gaif-topsail shown in position as hauled in and ready for furling, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same shown as set.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the fore, main, or mizzen mast of a vessel; B, the top-mast attached to the same; and O, a gaff, which is applied by its forked lower end to the mast A. A brace, D, is attached to the upper end of the mast and to the gaff, and serves to support the latter in inclined position toward the mast A. sail E is set between the gaff, mast, and topinast by the upper clew-line, f, lower clewline, f, upper and lower halyards, g g, sheetline f and tack-line f. The upper clew-line, f, passes through eyes at the outer edge of the gaff-topsail E, and is connected by the sheet-line f to suitable belaying-pins. The

lower clew-line, f, passes through eyes at the lower and inner edges of the gaff-topsail E, up to near the lower mast-hoop, and then down to suitable belaying-pins.

The upper and lower halyards, g g, are at tached, respectively, to eyes of the upper corner of the gaif-topsail, and to an eye near the lower mast-hoop of the gaff -sail at a point intermediately between the upper and lower corners of the same. The lower corner of the gaff-topsail is connected by a tackline, f to belaying-pins. The lower halyard, g, passes through a sheave or pulley, 9 located in a slot of the top-mast B to its belaying-pins.

In setting the gaff-topsail, the sheet-line, tack-line, upper and lower halyards, and the clew-lines are stretched tight as far as permitted by the sail and applied to their re spective belaying-pins. For hauling in and furling the sail the lines are released, so that the sail can be hauled in, as shown in Fig. 1, which takes place above the brace D, so as to facilitate the setting of the sail at either side of the same, according to the direction of the wind.

The new features of my improved sail are the arrangement of the lower clew-line and lower halyard, as by the same the sail can be more readily taken in and furled, as onehalf of the sail at a time is handled-first, the lower half, then the sheet loosened, and finally the upper half-while in setting the gaff-topsail the sheet-line is first hauled, then the upper half shortened, and, lastly, the lower half set by hauling down the tack-line.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, with a top-mast and gaff, of a gaff-topsail, an upper clew-line extending along the outer edge of the sail, a

lower clew-line extending along the lower and inner edges of the same, an upper halyard applied to the upper corner of the sail, a lower halyard attached to the gaff-sail near the lower mast-hoop, a sheet-line applied to the outer corner, and a tack-line applied to the inner corner of the sail, substantially as set forth. a

2. The combination, with a top-mast and gaff, of a gaff-topsail, an upper cleW-line extending along the outer edge of the sail, an upper halyard attached to the upper corner of the sail, a sheet-line attached to the outer corner, a tack-line attached to the inner IntestimonythatIclaimtheforegoingasmy lower corner, a lower (flew-line extending invention I have signed my name in presence along the lower and inner edges of the sail of two subscribing wltnesses.

up to the lowest mast-hoop, and a lower hal- LAVRENCE XV. FALGK. 5 yard attached to the sail near the lower mast- \Vitnesses:

1100p and passing over a sheave or pulley of PAUL GOEPEL,

the top-mast, substantially as set forth. MARTIN PETRY. 

